Chainsaw crews help clear way in central Florida town

FORT MEADE, Fla.?Thanks to several chainsaw crews from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, residents of Fort Meade, Fla., are closer to recovery from Hurricane Charley.

Teams from East Texas Baptist Area, Macedonia Baptist Church in Longview and Dogwood Trails Association converged on this central Florida town east of Tampa for more than a week following Charley’s devastation last month.

Tom Rush, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Meade and coordinator of Baptist relief work in the town of 5,700, said the Texans were instrumental in helping clear limbs and debris from homes, businesses and churches in the area.

“They’ve done tremendous, tremendous work,” Rush said.

E. Gibbie McMillan, SBTC Missions Services associate, presented a $10,000 relief check to the Florida

Baptist Convention on Aug. 19.

McMillan said some of the devastation “looked like a 10-mile wide tornado” had swept through. The SBTC teams were housed at First Baptist Church of Bartow, about 10 miles from Fort Meade. A feeding unit from Texas Baptist Men provided meals for workers, McMillan said.

“(The storm victims) would come weeping and embracing the volunteers and telling them how much they appreciated the things that were being done,” McMillan said.

Toll roads were free of charge to relief crews traveling between cities.

Rush said immediately after the storm many roadways were jammed by debris. He said newspaper reports stated Polk County, where Fort Meade is, would need 1 million cubic yards of debris cleared.

He said at least one person was saved through the efforts of Baptist relief workers. “I’ve seen them pray with church members and pray with those who have no church affiliation,” Rush said. “I’ve heard them ask people about their relationship with the Lord and, ‘If you died tonight, are you going to heaven?’

They’ve ministered not only through meeting practical needs but also through sharing Christ. And I think the impact of that is going to be eternal.”

He said the SBTC crews were the face of First Baptist Church to area residents and their work will make outreach and evangelism easier.

Rush said he was blessed?he only had $7,000-$8,000 damage to his home. Others were left homeless.

“Those in the community whose damage was minimal have really jumped in to help others. So for the most part, it’s been a very positive thing.”